The voters of Pierce County used Ranked Choice Voting to elect their County Executive, County Council and other county level officers in 2008. This site discusses the Ranked Choice Voting races in Pierce County as well as other jurisdictions considering RCV around the state of Washington.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

League Favors Ranked Choice Voting in Pierce County

The League of Women Voters of Tacoma-Pierce County has issued the following letter about proposed charter amendment 3 in Pierce County.

"The League of Women Voters of Tacoma-Pierce County opposes Pierce County Charter Amendment 3, which the County Council has put on the 2009 ballot.Charter Amendment 3 attempts to repeal ranked choice voting in Pierce County races. The League strongly recommends a NO vote, and supports retaining ranked choice voting (RCV).

In last November’s election, with RCV, Pierce County voters had more choices than in previous elections. The County Executive race, for instance, was the most competitive race since the institution of the county charter, and the League supports increasing the number of citizens running for office.

The League also strongly supports lessening the impact of money in politics. In 2008, three of the six winners in RCV races were outspent by opponents.

Finally, the League is committed to increasing voter participation. Without RCV, third-party candidates are knocked out of the running during the low turn-out Primary vote. Their issues, sometimes important, are not heard for the rest of the election cycle. RCV allows voters to hear from every candidate, broadening the issues before the public, during the high turn-out general campaign.

Let’s retain RCV and remedy whatever its weaknesses may be. The League’s mission is to encourage informed and active participation in government, and to increase understanding of major public policy issues. Ranked choice voting is instrumental to those goals."